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Lennox’s new extreme cold heat pump operates at as low as -20F

Lennox Residential HVAC has launched an extreme cold climate heat pump that warms a house with low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant in temperatures as low as -20F.

It’s called the Dave Lennox Signature® Collection SL22KLV Cold Climate Heat Pump, and Lennox claims its efficiency levels are 150% higher at colder temperatures than standard heat pumps.

In 2022, Lennox was the first company to complete the first phase of the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump (CCHP) Technology Challenge, and the SL22KLV is a souped up version of the unit developed for that challenge.

The heat pump, which pairs with a smart thermostat, uses a variable-speed compressor with Electronic Refrigerant Injection (ERI) to adjust the energy usage based on the outside temperature, which helps to lower energy costs. When the temperature drops, the ERI increases heating output efficiently.

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The SL22KLV has efficiency ratings of up to 21.10 for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2 (SEER2), 13.2 for Energy Efficiency Ratio 2 (EER2), and 10.50 for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor 2 (HSPF2). It also features a precision-balanced, direct-drive fan and sound-dampening system for ultra-quiet operation as low as 58 decibels.

The heating capacity is between 21,600 Btuh and 60,000 Btuh, and the cooling capacity is between 22,000 Btuh and 56,000 Btuh.

Top comment by BCV

Liked by 8 people

It's great to see more options on the market for cold-climate markets.

For those dismayed at the EPA and DOE being completely captured by the oil & gas industry, the biggest tool you have to fight back is to stop giving those companies money. A heat pump is a good way to do that.

The simple pathway to doing this involves:

  1. Focus on energy efficiency. A home energy audit is a great place to start. Driving less is a good example too.

  2. Develop a long-term plan to electrify everything. You don't need to replace everything today, but build a plan so you don't have to purchase any new devices powered by hydrocarbons.

  3. Source as much energy as possible from renewables. See if your state has a community solar or utility renewable purchase program if you can't get solar on your own home.

I've just finished electrifying my life. It involved cutting some decent sized checks, but I now have $5,000 per year (2024 dollars) that I'm not spending on gasoline or utilities for as long as I live in this house. It's not quite as good as investing in the stock market, but the math isn't bad either.

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Lennox’s new extreme cold heat pump uses the low global warming potential R-454B refrigerant, reducing environmental impact without compromising performance. It’s also eligible for the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit, a federal IRA tax credit for homeowners (and it’s still in place). There may also be other local utility and state incentives for installing a heat pump, so it’s definitely worth checking. It’s now available for order through local Lennox dealers.

Read more: Seriously good cold-climate heat pumps are headed to the US market


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Avatar for Michelle Lewis Michelle Lewis

Michelle Lewis is a writer and editor on Electrek and an editor on DroneDJ, 9to5Mac, and 9to5Google. She lives in White River Junction, Vermont. She has previously worked for Fast Company, the Guardian, News Deeply, Time, and others. Message Michelle on Twitter or at michelle@9to5mac.com. Check out her personal blog.